The application of hybrid technology is a key route for CO2 emissions reduction. For many manufacturers, over the next five years it may remain more viable to integrate hybrid technologies into existing model ranges than to develop expensive new dedicated hybrid platforms.

Solutions that Lotus Engineering can provide to its OEM clients will help them keep price premiums for hybrid variants at a minimum, thanks to lower development costs, and are available immediately for introduction within current and next generation model lifecycles.

The EVE Hybrid programme focussed on establishing the processes for integrating hybrid technology with minimal development time and cost, overcoming many of the challenges associated with integrating hybrid technology into existing platforms through intelligent, compact and discreet packaging of additional systems.

Ultimately, it demonstrates Lotus Engineering's ability to provide strong, viable business case propositions for clients to offer a hybrid variant of a medium-high volume production car.

The resulting EVE Hybrid demonstrator, based on a Proton Gen 2 compact midsize car with a 1.6 litre gasoline engine, showcases a trio of production representative technologies:

A 'micro-hybrid' start-stop system

A full parallel hybrid drive

Continuously Variable Transmission

Compared to the baseline Proton Gen.2, tailpipe emissions are reduced from a competitive 172 g/km to just 134 g/km, a reduction of 22%, while fuel economy improves from 39.2 MPG to 50.2 MPG, a 28% improvement.